steel industry review · about 75% of steel is produced using the bf-bof route. first, iron ores...

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Steel Industry Review 2018

Nahida Habib Research & Innovation Lab Royal Capital Limited

NOVEMBER, 2018

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Steel Industry Review

Research & Innovation Lab 1

Preface

Steel is one of the world’s most innovative &important materials in every aspect of our life.

Steel is an alloy of iron & carbon containing less than 2%carbon & 1% manganese & small amounts

of silicon, phosphorous, Sulphur & oxygen. Because of its high tensile strength & low cost, it is a

major component used in buildings, infrastructure, tolls, ships, automobiles, machines, appliances &

weapons.

Steel is produced via two main routes: the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route and electric arc furnace (EAF) route. Variations and combinations of production routes also exist.

The key difference between the routes is the type of raw materials they consume. For the BF-BOF route these are predominantly iron ore, coal, and recycled steel, while the EAF route produces steel using mainly recycled steel and electricity. Depending on the plant configuration and availability of recycled steel, other sources of metallic iron such as direct-reduced iron (DRI) or hot metal can also be used in the EAF route.

About 75% of steel is produced using the BF-BOF route. First, iron ores are reduced to iron, also called hot metal or pig iron. Then the iron is converted to steel in the BOF. After casting and rolling, the steel is delivered as coil, plate, sections or bars.

Another steelmaking technology, the open hearth furnace (OHF), makes up about 0.4% of global steel production. The OHF process is very energy intensive and is in decline owing to its environmental and economic disadvantages.

Most steel products remain in use for decades before they can be recycled. Therefore, there is not enough recycled steel to meet growing demand using the EAF steelmaking method alone. Demand is met through a combined use of the BF-BOF and EAF production methods.

All of these production methods can use recycled steel scrap as an input. Most new steel contains recycled steel.

The steel industry is often considered an indicator of economic progress, because of the critical role

played by steel in infrastructural and overall economic development.

Why we use steel?

Architectural freedom

Ultimate design flexibility

Highly adaptable due to open structure for re modeling or alternate use

Open design few internal columns needed

Aesthetic appeal

Seasonal flexibility any convenient size

Site interference low, less waste on site

Steel mixes with all other building materials

3D software (TEKLA) & BIM suit standard sections can be to robotic fabrication



Constraints to using Steel

Awareness and understanding of building codes for steel design

Lack of steel constructions engineering knowledge

Lack of skill in design, engineering & project management

Steel industry insufficiently focused in construction

Other construction industries development has been extensive and innovative

Confidence in steel lost

On site construction high skill level required

Perceived myths high cost. Corrosion, low fire resistance

Steel products price volatility

Customer expectations led by other building materials

World Steel Review

The global steel industry has been going through major changes since 1970.China has emerged as a

major producer and consumer, as India to a lesser extent .Consolidation has been rapid in Europe.

Cap

ture

d China holds

50% of

world market of Steel

Production of crude steel has risen at an astounding rate,

reaching 1,689 MN tones by 2017.During the 20th century, the

consumption of steel increased at an average annual rate of

3.3%. In 1900, the United States was producing 37% of the

world’s steel, but with post war industrial development in Asia

and centralized investment by China, by 2017 china alone

accounted for about 50% of total global steel market.

According to World Steel Organization, Asia produced 946.8 Mt

of crude steel, an increase of 5.5% over the first nine months of

2017. The EU produced 128.0 Mt of crude steel in the first nine

months of 2018, up by 1.3% compared to the same period in

2017.

Asia 946.82Mt

EU 128.02 Mt

C.I.S 76.22 Mt

North America 89.7Mt

South America 33.16Mt

Middle East 26.87Mt

North America’s crude steel production in the

first nine months of 2018 was 89.7 Mt, an

increase of 3.4% compared to the first nine

months of 2017. The C.I.S. produced 76.2 Mt

of crude steel in the first nine months of 2018,

up by 1.8% compared to the same period in

2017.



Steel Production (YoY) (thousand mn tones)

Country Sep-18 % Change

Sep(18/17)

China 80.8 7.5

India 8.5 2.1

Japan 8.4 -2.4

South Korea 5.8 -3.4

EU 128.0 1.3 North

America 89.7 3.4

CIS 76.2 1.8

EU 8.4 1.4

Italy 2.2 -0.8

Turkey 2.8 -5.9

US 7.3 9.0

Brazil 3.0 2.5

Germany 3.7 7.5

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

World Steel Production (mnTons)

1343 1239 1433 1538 1560 1650 1669 1620 1627 1689

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

World Steel Production (mn Tons)

China’s crude steel production for

September 2018 was 80.8 Mt, an

increase of 7.5% compared to

September 2017. Japan produced 8.4

Mt of crude steel in September 2018, a

decrease of 2.4% compared to

September 2017.Italy crude steel

production 2.2 Mt, a decrease of 0.8%.

Brazil Produced 3.0 Mt, an increase of

2.5% in September 2018.

In 2017, total world crude

steel production was

1,689.2 million tones (Mt).

The biggest steel producing

country is currently China,

which accounted for 49.2%

of world steel production in

2017. In 2008, 2009, 2015

and 2016 output fell in the

majority of steel-producing

countries as a result of the

global recession. Since

2008steel production

evidenced an increasing

trend with a CAGR of 2%

between 2008 and 2017.



China’s One Belt One Road initiative & The Future of Chinese Steel

The Belt & Road initiative is an ambitious effort to improve regional cooperation & connectivity on

a transcontinental scale. The initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure, trade and investment links

between China and some 65 other countries that account collectively for over 33% of global GDP,

65% of population and 25% of all goods & services moved worldwide. The BRI consists primarily of

the Silk Road Economic Belt, linking China to Central and South Asia and onward to Europe, and the

New Maritime Silk Road, linking China to the nations of South East Asia, the Gulf Countries, North

Africa, and on to Europe. Six other economic corridors have been identified to link other countries

to the Belt and the Road. The scope of the initiative is still taking shape-more recently the initiative

has been interpreted to be open to all countries as well as international and regional organizations.

Impact on China’s Demand

It is anticipated that the building of the route alone will result in a 5% increase in demand for

Chinese made steel per year (or 20% by 2020). The Chinese government is now asking its steel

makers to invest in plants located along the routes in Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Africa, to make

it easier to bring in raw materials and maintain cost. Investors in the project are seeking out iron-

ore mines and planning to build integrated steel mills nearby. Chinese steelmakers are anticipating

a move of almost 20 million tons of low-cost steel capacity to be moved to Southeast Asia, West

Asia, and Africa by 2023.

A majority of the construction demand will be for long product and steel pipe, to satisfy a large

amount of rail and pipeline required. There are existing investments by Chinese Steel companies

already underway in South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos and Sierra Leone.

Chaina Japan IndiaUnitedStates

RussiaSouthLorea

Germany Turkey Brazil Italy

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tonnage (bn Tons) 8.317 1.047 1.014 0.816 0.713 0.713 0.434 0.375 0.344 0.241

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Global Crude Steel Ranking



Impact on Quality

The OBOR also creates a massive potential for an upgrade to China’s steel industry, allowing the production of higher quality products. In addition to new, high tech mills, the expansion west will likely improve the quality output of less-developed manufacturers in the western parts of China.

If China increases the overall quality of their domestic output, this will create opportunities to shift capacity of low-grade steel products to developing countries. This shift will also low for higher margins on low quality steel due to relaxed regulations and close proximity to raw materials.

Boost in Related Services

For those of who serving the steel industry, there is a host of opportunities that arise due to the migration of steel production throughout the region. For starters, there have already been a number of new mills and upgrades within China’s largest steelmaking groups over the past several years; with a few more on the way. As existing equipment is moved from coastal China along the route, there is no doubt that there will be a need for new castings, forgings, and hydraulics to keep production running smoothly and efficiently.

It goes without saying that this is an extremely ambitious plan. The capital investment and manpower required to accomplish this feat are unheard of in the modern age and with only a small percentage of the investment pledged to date, there is still a lot of work to be done. But to look back at the development of China over the past two decades, one can easily see that anything is possible. Even today, people who come here marvel at the accomplishments in transportation; from the thousands of kilometers of highway, the connectedness of the high-speed rail, and the addition of almost 100 airports in a span of just 5 years.

Major Exporters & Importers of Steel in 2017

Rank Total exports Mt Rank Total imports Mt 1 China 74.8 1 European Union 41.2 2 Japan 37.5 2 United States 35.4 3 South Korea 31.4 3 Germany 27.1 4 Russia 31.1 4 Italy 20.1 5 European Union 31.1 5 South Korea 19.3 6 Germany 26.4 6 Vietnam 16.2 7 Italy 18.2 7 Turkey 15.8 8 Belgium 18.1 8 France 15.1 9 Turkey 16.6 9 Thailand 14.5

10 India 16.3 10 Belgium 14.1 11 Brazil 15.3 11 China 13.9 12 Ukraine 15.2 12 Mexico 13.5 13 France 14.8 13 Indonesia 11.0 14 Taiwan, china 12.1 14 Poland 10.7 15 Netherland 10.9 15 Spain 9.9

China has relatively quickly become the second largest economy and the biggest steelmaker in the world. With a GDP of US$10 trillion, they account for roughly 13% of the global economy. Chinese steel



Production was 823 million tons in 2014 – accounting for half of the world’s total. As we can see from the above chart, large export from china in 2017 as well as china holds market leader position globally. On another side, highest import position holds in European Union, then USA, Germany & others.

Steel Production & Use

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 2007 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION2017

Crude Steel Production Crude Steel Production World Total : 1350 million tonnes World Total : 1689 million tonnes

From above chart, steel production is increasing day by day. From 2007 to 2017, crude steel production increased by 25.11% that’s reflect its huge demand in worldwide. China which production is higher than all other country increased its production by 12.9% from 2007 to 2017.

China 36.30%

NAFTA, 9.70%

CIS, 9.20%

EU, 15.60%Others,

6.90%

Other Asia,

11.00%

Japan, 8.90%

China,49.20%

NAFTA, 6.80%

Japan 6.20%

Other Asia,

13.40%

Others, 5.90%

EU,10.00%

CIS,6.00%

Other Europe, 2.50%

Africa 1.4%

Central & South America 3.7%

Middle East 1.2%

Australia & New Zealand 0.7%

Africa 0.9%

Central & South America 2.6%

Middle East 2.0%

Australia & New Zealand 0.4%

2

0

0

7

2

0

1

7



Apparent Steel Use (Finished Steel Product) Apparent Steel Use (Finished Steel Products)

World Total: 4 million tones World Total: 1587 million tones

The World Steel Association said China's demand for steel dropped 3.5% in 2015, and will fall again in 2016. This has forced Chinese steelmakers to look outside the country for customers to buy all their extra steel. As a result, in 2015 China steel exports increased 25% to 112 million tons. That is more than any other country’s (except Japan’s) total production. Their production costs are also subsidized by the Chinese government, so they are covered even if they produce steel at a loss.

To the rest of the world, if something is “Made in China” it is usually considered cheap and low quality. Because it’s cheap, it can also disrupt the local market and domestic producers. China’s steel is no different (no comment on the quality, just the price.) They have been flooding the global market with steel that is 20% to 50% cheaper than anything else.

Many foreign steel companies have shut down their mills or stopped operating entirely as a result.

For example, Tata Iron and Steel company, the largest steel plant in the British Commonwealth,

plans to sell or shut down their British operations; Arcelor Mittal, the largest steel producer in the

world, has already shut down at least three plants in South Africa, the US and Spain.

But western countries don’t want to let Chinese steel hurt their local production. Steel production in these countries costs more because of higher labor and environmental costs. So, they are vulnerable to these cheaper steel imports. Since steel production is vital for industrial growth, if local steel producers suffer, their whole economy will suffer.

To protect their domestic production, and to retaliate against what they see as unfair “dumping” of cheap Chinese steel on world markets, some countries have begun imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese steel. This includes tariffs of 20% in India, 46% in Britain, and 236% in U.S. If the tariffs slow down Chinese steel imports, China will no longer be able to flood the market with excess steel.

China, 34.20%

NAFTA, 1.50%CIS,

4.60%

Other Europe,

2.50%

EU, 16.60%

Others, 9.50%

Other Asia,

14.50%

Japan,6.60%

China, 46.40%

NAFTA, 8.90%

EU, 10.20%

Others, 8.50%

Other Asia,

15.90%

Japan, 4.10%



Top Steel Makers 2017

million tonnes, crude steel production

Global Steel Products 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Ingots & semi -finished material 58.5 54.1 54.3 51.8 51.1 60.1 Railway track material 2.6 3 2.2 2.1 1.9 2.7 Angles, shapes & sections 21.8 22.1 24.6 21.7 24.8 22.1 Concrete re-in forcing bars 21.9 18.9 22.2 18.9 20.2 18.3 Bars & rods, hot rolled 15.4 18.1 29.7 40.7 40.6 21.2 Wire rod 23.2 24.2 29.4 29 29.7 27 Drawn Wire 7.6 7.7 8.9 8.4 8.8 8.9 Other bars & rods 4.9 4.9 6 5.3 5.9 5.9 Hot rolled strip 3.1 3 3.3 2.9 3.3 3.9 Cold -rolled strip 3.6 3.5 4.1 3.9 4.1 4.5 Hot rolled sheets & coils 64.4 67.3 75.8 77.7 82.5 84.8 Plants 31 29 34.5 30.1 34.1 33.1 Cold rolled sheets & coins 32.7 33 37.2 32.8 34.3 37.4 Electrical sheet & strip 4.3 4 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.5 Tin mill Products 6.2 6.4 6.7 6.3 7.2 7 Galvanized Sheet 36.1 37.1 40.7 37.6 43.2 46.2 Other coated sheet 15.2 15.4 17.9 16.3 19.7 18 Sheet tubes & fittings 41.6 39.7 43.6 35.3 33.9 41.9 Wheels 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 2.2 Castings 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.2 Forgings 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 1

20.15

20.26

21.23

27.63

24.39

25.11

27.63

30.15

35.76

38.35

42.19

45.56

47.36

65.39

97.03

Valin Group

Jianlong Group

Hyundai Steel

Shandong Steel Group

Nucor Corporation

Tata Steel Group

Shoungang Group

JFE Steel

Ansteel Group

Shagang Group

POSCO

HBIS Group

NSSMC Group

China Baowa Group

Arcelor Mittal



World Steel Exports, Analysis by Product- Million tonnes (2012-2017)

Product 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Ingots and semi-finished material 58.5 54.1 54.3 51.8 51.1 60.1

Railway tack material 2.6 3.0 2.2 2.1 1.9 2.7

Angels, shapes & sections 21.8 22.1 24.6 21.7 24.8 22.1

Concrete re-enforcing bars 21.9 18.9 22.2 18.9 20.2 18.3

Bars and rods ,hot -rolled 15.4 18.1 29.7 40.7 40.6 21.2

Wire rod 23.2 24.2 29.4 29 29.7 27

Drawn wire 7.6 7.7 8.9 8.4 8.8 8.9

Other bars & rods 4.9 4.9 6 5.3 5.9 5.9

Hot -rolled strip 3.1 3.0 3.3 2.9 3.3 3.9

Cold-rolled strip 3.6 3.5 4.1 3.9 4.1 4.5

Hot-rolled sheets & coils 64.4 67.3 75.8 77.7 82.5 84.8

Platters 31.0 29 34.5 30.1 34.1 33.1

Cold -rolled sheets & coils 32.7 33 37.2 32.8 34.3 37.4

Electrical sheet & strip 4.3 4 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.5

Tin mill products 6.2 6.4 6.7 6.3 7.2 7

Galvanized sheet 36.1 37.1 40.7 37.6 43.2 46.2

Other coated sheet 15.2 15.4 17.9 16.3 19.7 18

Sheet tubes & fittings 41.6 39.7 43.6 35.3 33.9 41.9

Wheels (forged and rolled ) and Axles 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 2.2

Castings 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.2

Forgings 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 1

Other 0.7 0.7 0 0 0 0

Total 397.0 394.4 447.8 427.3 451.8 451.9

Apparent Steel Use per Capita 2017 (Kilogram)

1269.9

1106.3

666.3

508.5

453.4

416.3

460.8

446.5

413.1

301.2

378.9

354.1

245.9

282.1

0 500 1000 1500

China*

Souht korea

Czech Repblic

Germany

Canada

Sweden

Austria

Turkey

Italy

USA

Belgium

Poland

Iran

RussiaAccording to the graph, China is

the top steel consumer in the

world, as well as it holds the top

position in production and

export. Then the 2nd position

holds the South Korea & whereas

it holds the 6th position in global

crude steel ranking. From above,

we can also see the Germany is in

the 4th position for steel

consumption & it holds 7th

position in global crude steel

ranking.



Steel Industry in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of Asia's leading emerging steel markets and has a growing need for raw

materials and steelmaking technologies. The GDP growth in Bangladesh is now 7.68%, which is

significantly higher than that of many other emerging markets. The movement towards a

progressive national economy strongly depends on the how construction materials specially steels

related industries have evolved and such products are readily available. Fortunately, the country

has a proud heritage for the art of steel making and shaping for a long time.

Steel is a basic raw material for infrastructural development and multiple other uses. The demand

for steel will inevitably grow in line with the country's economic and infrastructural development.

Major buyers of mild steel and re-rolled products include individuals, government and institutional

buyers in the real estate sector. Implementation of the government’s huge infrastructural

development plans has been driving the double digit growth rate in the country’s steel industry and

the growth is expected to persist for the next two decades. The local manufactures believe the steel

industry should continue to grow at 10% in the next few years, riding on government programs

centering its vision 2021.

Currently, in Bangladesh, there are more than 400 steel, re-rolling and auto-re-rolling mills.

However, most of the millers produce steel through conventional process of re-rolling ship cutting

plates.

Classification of Steel

Steel producers manufacture steel in several shapes according to demand from end consumers.

Based on shape, the steel industry in Bangladesh can be categorized into two classes of products:

long steel (MS rod/TMT bar) and flat steel (mainly CI sheet and CR coil).

In Bangladesh most construction steel can be traced local production of long products, most of it in

reinforcing steel, commonly known as M. S rods. Long Steel products are used in all industrial

sectors, particularly in the construction and engineering industries.

Different types of Long Steels

Bars Rebar

Merchant Bars

Structural Beams

Channels & Angels

Tubes Oil country tubular goods(OCTG)

Other tubular products



Production & Market Size

According to the leading manufactures, more

than 4.0 million MT steels are currently

produce in the country representing a market

value of BDT300 billion roughly. The

industry grew from producing a merge

47,000 MT in 1971 to 4.0 million Mt in

2015.The production of this sector is

expected to be double on in 2022 by the

industrialists. The country’s demand for only

“branded” MS rod is estimated at more than

2.5 million MT, where the country usually

consumes over 1.7 million MT of branded MS

road or 70% of its annual demand in the peak

season.

Market Size 2015 4.0 mn

2022e 8.0 mn

Consumption:

Bangladesh is one of the Asia’s most emerging steel markets & has a growing need for raw

materials. The demands of steel industry are mainly driven by two factors: one is the

implementation of the government’s ADP plans and government’s infrastructural activities and the

other from of the industrial and individual level demand especially for the real estate sector.

1.9 2.02.3 2.5 2.7

4.2 4.1

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Apparent Steel Use Consumption in '000(MT)

24 26 29 30 32 33.7 3545

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Per Capita Steel Consumption in kg

According to the world Steel Association, apparent steel consumption of the country was 4.1 million MT in the FY 2016 which is higher than FY2010. A significant growth stated in the year of 2015 which was about 50% growth indicates that the booming stage of local steel industry in Bangladesh although somewhat insignificant decrease of consumption in FY2016. Considering overall scenario of above graphs it is to be said that, steel market of Bangladesh is expanding year to year.



Rising Steel Capacities

In terms of production capacity both finished & semi-finished steels Bangladesh is self-sufficient. Presently, in Bangladesh, the combined annual production capacity for steel is 8.0 million MT. Moreover, major industry players are injecting fresh investments in this sector to enhance their production capacity to grab the potential of huge demand for the implementation of government’s gigantic infrastructure development plans.

For the semi-finished steel melting production, only three big players in the industry Abul khair (AKS), BSRM and Kabir Steel (KSRM) has more than 3 million MT of billet producing capacity now & total industry as a whole have the capacity to produce roughly 3.6 million MT of billet, representing 90% of total requirement.

Raw Materials:

Among the crude steel products, Billet is considered as the prime steel material for producing steel products. Bangladesh had roughly 1.0 million MT of crude steel capacity in 2014 but this figure has grown to more than 3.6 million MT now due to massive investment in the steel melting projects by large market player. The local mills in Bangladesh currently need more than 4.0 million MT billet annually owing to steady economic growth and the demand is growing in line with capacity enhancement of re- rolling in the industry.

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016e

7885 87 84 90

100 100Total Production of Crude Steel '000 ( MT)

Total Steel Production

2018

7 mn tonnes

2017

5.5 mn tonnes

2016

4.5 mn tonnes

2015

3 mn tonnes



Most of the re- rollers are adopting backward integration process in order to produce quality and cost- effective products. Large players such as Abul Khair (AKS) & BSRM are reported to have already commissioned high capacity induction & electric arc furnaces which would expand crude steel (billet) production significantly.

Manufacturing of Billet Capacity in mn (MT)

Abul Khair Steel(AKS) 1,400,000

BSRM Group 1,300,000

Kabir Steel Rolling Mills Ltd.(KSRM) 600,000

GPH Ispat Limited (GPH) 168,000

Bashsundhara Steel Complex Ltd 100,000

Sheema Automatic Re-rolling Mills Ltd. 70,000

As a result of significant investing by the giant steel millers in steel melting plants to produce billets,

Bangladesh is now capable of supplying 90% of the required local demand for billets. However, the

country still needs to import billet because most of the billet millers mostly serve as the backward for

their own re -rolling mills.

Iron scrap is a major raw material for steel units based in Bangladesh. Only a small amount of required

scrap materials are available from local source (ship breaking business) and the country need to import

significant volume of iron scrap materials from abroad.

World steel data shows that import of iron scrap iron in Bangladesh was 4.0 million MT. However, the

import volume has witnessed tremendous growth in the last two years in response to capacity

enhancement by local billet manufactures in recent period. Bangladesh imported 4.0 million MT raw

materials for producing billets, including iron scraps, in the FY2016-2017, which is 100% higher than

that of the previous financial year.

253 337546

238 325 205 279459

946

2011

4025

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Import of Iron Scrap' 000MT



Bangladesh was the top buyer of scrapped ships in the world in the third quarter of 2017, followed by India, according to study of Brussels based shipbreaking platform. During this period, 50 scraped ships were brought to Bangladesh and 44 to India, making South Asia the most preferring destination for scrapping old vessels.

Major Industry Players

The steel industry in Bangladesh is oligopoly in nature. Even though there are currently over 400 active firms in the industry, three big steelmakers -- BSRM, Abul Khair Steel and KSRM - supply more than 50% of the country's annual need of steel. The market leader Abul Khair Steel (AKS) and BSRM Group have been continuing their dominance in steel market.

About Abul Khair group: Abul Khair group is the largest steel producer in the country. Abul Khair Steel's re-rolling mill (AKS) is capable of producing 12.75 lac metric tons high quality graded hot-rolled steel (TMT) bars per annum. The company’s capacity utilization is ratio is roughly 80-85%. Abul Khair group has total steeling melting (billet) capacity of 1.4 million MT per annum and will be expanded further to 1.6 million MT per annum. The company does not import any billet for its re-rolling mills now. AKS has a special reputation for price adjustment to avail larger market share and other companies do the same accordingly to maintain the competitiveness.

BSRM Group: BSRM Group is the pioneer in the steel industry of Bangladesh and has strong presence in the market with around 1.2 million MT capacities of MS rod and bar annually. Moreover, to strengthen the competitive advantage, the company has undertaken the expansion of its capacity from 120,000 MT to 450,000 MT. The group has good track record for producing quality steel and strong market penetration.

Major Players in Steel Market Capacity in mn MT Abul Khair Steel 1,275,000 BSRM Group 1,150,000 Kabir Steel Rolling 400,000 Anwar Ispat Limited 360,000 PHP Group 300,000 Ratanpur Steels Re-Rolling Mills 187,200 Baizid Steel Industries Ltd 180,000 Bashundhara Steel Complex Limited 160,000 GPH Ispat Limited 120,000 Bandar Steel Limited 120,000 Sheema Automatic Re-Rolling Mills 45,000



Recently, BSRM group has commenced its 0.86 million MT capacity billet melting plants resulting into a total of 1.19 million yearly capacity of billet in the group level. However, BSRM group could not utilize full billet making capacity of its new plant till now and still imports around 0.5 million MT billets & 0.9 million scraps to meets the local demand.

To cater to the growing demand in coming days, other major industry players like KSRM and GPH Ispat are also increasing their production capacity significantly. KSRM is undergoing an expansion plan to expand its capacity by 45% in addition to its existing 0.4 million MT annually. GPH Ispat also announced for a massive expansion of its re-rolling mill capacity from 0.12 million MT to 0.76 million MT per year and billet making capacity from existing 0.17 million MT capacity to 1.0 million MT.

Export & Import

Even though local steel industry has the capability to feed entire demand of the steel products in Bangladesh, the country also imports roughly 3.7 million MT of semi-finished(billet) and finished steel (both long & flat) products each year.

Bangladesh imports mostly semi-finished steel products including billets to serve the demand for re-rolling millers. Billet imports to Bangladesh surged in last few years due to cheaper offers from Chinese supplies but this is likely to decline in the coming years due to capacity enhancement by local industry players and the imposition of customs duty & Value Added Tax (VAT) on billet import

.

Abull Khair Steel

30%

BSRM Group

27%Kabir Steel Rolling

9%

Anwar Ispat Limited

8%

PHP Group

7%

Ratanpur Steels Re-Roliing Mills

4%

Baizid Steel Industries Ltd

4%

Bashundhara Steel Comple Ltd

4%GPH Ispat Ltd

3%

Bandar Steel limited

3%Sheema Automatic

Re-Rolling Mills1%

Market Share Scenario



Import of long products like MS rod & bar is insignificant. Around 5% of the local demands for long

steel products are currently imported. Non–graded steel products are imported by some rent-

seeking enterprise and such have minor dominance in the market.

Although the country's steel sector remains mostly focused on domestic demand, owing to overcapacity and incessant investment by the market leaders, the country has the potential to export steel, especially to the northeastern states of India. However, the opportunity has been destroyed as the state governments of India have recently imposed 13% duty tax on the imported rod and related products.

869 780

16411834 1990

2316 24582690

3967 3970 3969

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Imports of semi finished & finished stell products '000 MT

34

277155

67 109 96 105210

1407

669

0

500

1000

1500

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Imports of Long Products '000 MT



Moreover, transit will enable to Indian’s state near to Bangladesh border side, to transport steel related products from one state to another state at low cost. Hence, the transit facility also ruined the company opportunity to export from Bangladesh.

Budgetary Protection

As the country is getting enriched in terms of billet production capacity, the government has imposed various safe guard duties in terms of import duty, VAT, SD& RD on purchase of finished and semi-finished steel from foreign sources.

Scra

p

1,500 TK Per MT

18

108

1214

19

26

18

5 40

5

10

15

20

25

30

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Exports of Semi -finished & Finished Steel product '000 MT

Import Duty

Ferro Alloy 10%

Bangladesh steelmakers are preferring imported scrap over billet due to differential duty structure. Scrap attracts an import duty of BDT 1,500 /MT. Whereas, RD of 20.0% and VAT of 15.0% has been imposed on import of billet from the existing SD of BDT 7,000 on per MT imported billet. Moreover 45% SD has been imposed on bars and rods, hot rolled, cold rolled of iron or non-alloy of steel.

Regulatory duty on import of Ferro Alloy is proposed to reduce from 15% to 10% & reduction of specific customs duty on import of sponge iron from BDT 1,000MT to BDT 800/MT.



Industry Prospects

ADP & Infrastructure Development: Accelerating of government’s big infrastructure projects, initiation of Padma Bridge, Metro Rail projects and revival of the local real estate industry will undoubtedly boost-up the steel consumption locally.

Mitigate Import Dependency: Local industry can have a strategic capacity expansion over the steel importers by which they can maximize their presence in the local markets.

Possibility of Export: Local steel industry has good export potential after meeting local demand. Since steel demand is derived from other sectors like construction building roads, consumer durables and infrastructure, its fortune depends on the growth of these user industries.

Port Facilities: The deep draft vessels cannot enter into the Chittagong port as well as the Mongla port & are lighted at the outer anchorage in the Bay that causes higher freight rates && low productivity of our sea borne trade. If the proposed deep sea project will come true then the freight cost, discipline carrying procedure will develop which ultimately will bring benefits to this industry.

FDI Attracts: Some foreign investor jointly invested in some big steel plant project in Bangladesh. It enhances the productivity at good quality which is to contribute to GDP.

However uneven completion from big players, price fall in international steel market, dependency on imported raw materials & decline in domestic demand for construction materials due to bearish vibe in the real estate sector are forcing the small mills owners out of the market.

Industry Challenges

Sourcing of Raw materials: Steel making companies mostly depend on raw materials to produce steel. We have no iron ore in our country so it’s our major drawback to import raw materials from other country. As steel market price is variable, sourcing of raw material is important. Shortage or price hike of raw materials will affect the company’s operation.

Interest Rate Risk: Interest rate is the risk that company faces due to unfavorable movement in the interest rates. Changes in the Government’s monetary policy, along with increased demand for loans/investments trend to increase the interest rate. Such rises in interest rates mostly affect companies having floating rate loans or companies investing in debt securities.

Availability of power & Gas: Steel industries require huge and uninterrupted power supply. Any unfavorable changes in power related regulations may affect the company’s business. Companies also require for heating billets and accordingly shortage of gas supply will affect the operation of the company.

Project Inefficiency: It’s an important factor of our steel industry. If a project smoothly run, then the suppliers of product (steel makers) are benefitted because of fair working capital projection &consumption. But if the project not runs well according their time proposal then delay of a project may affect the company’s financial instrument.

Default Risk: Transaction on credit is a normal phenomenon in the business world. The company may incur loss due to the default as well as the failure to pay timely by the customers.



Operational risk: Non availability of material /equipment may affect the smooth operational activities of the company. On the other hand, the equipment may face operational and mechanical failure due to natural disasters, terrorist’s attacks, lack of supervision & negligence, leading to severe accidents & losses.

Changes in Regulation: Any abrupt changes of the policies (such as: Custom Act, Income tax, Value added tax and other related) of the policies made by the regulatory authorities may adversely affect the business of the company.

Steel Industry in Bangladesh Capital Market

There are seven steel manufacturing companies, listed in Bangladesh capital market. In them four are specialized in making of MS Rod, MS bars & MS billet while other two are specialized in Cold rolled &galvanized steel sheets/coils.

Company Overview:

Bangladesh Steel Re-rolling Mills Limited (BSRMLTD): Bangladesh steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited is the first fully automatic re-rolling mills built in the country. BSRMLTD produces a low carbon wieldable quality high strength & high duplicity concrete reinforcing Bar. The Company was incorporated in 1960 & commenced commercial operation in 1961.The Company mainly produces MS products like 60 grade & 40 grade MS bars, angles, channels, I-beam, Great beam etc. & MS billet. BSRMLTD is now operating with two different units: 1) Re-Rolling unit for M.S Road, channel, Angel & 2) Steel Melting Works unit for production of M.S Billet. Currently, annual installed capacity of BSRMLTD is 450,000 MT for Re-Rolling unit & 145,000 MT for Melting Unit. The company became listed with DSE & CSE on 27th April

2015.Company produced 683,870 MT in FY (16-17).Sale is 676,749MT & utilization is 101%.

BSRM steels Limited (BSRMSTEEL): Bangladesh steel Limited was incorporated in 2002 & commenced commercial operation in 2008. The company mainly engaged in the production and supply of “Xtreme 500W” deformed bars of reinforced steel.

The product portfolio of BSRM Steels Limited comprises Xtreme-500W, D-Bar Grade-60, D-bar GR300, D-Bar Grade-75 and mills rolls etc. The company’s flagship product ‘Xtreme-500W contributed 93.7% of the revenue. Present installed capacity is 700,000 MT. & capital utilizations is 99.36%. Expansion of billet production plant under this company with a capacity 4,30,000 MT. This will protect the company from volatile billet prices.

Ownership Structure:

Company Sponsor /Director

Govt. Institute Foreign Public

BSRMSTEEL 70.57% 0 18.24% 0.28% 10.91%

BSRMLTD 40.94% 0 17.73% 19.94% 21.39%

RSRMSTEEL 47.03% 0 17.65% 0 35.32%

GPHISPAT 56.03% 0 14.61% 0 29.36%

APOLLO ISPAT

21.19% 0 24.01% 0.69% 54.11%

As of September 30, 2018, BSRMSTEEL has the highest sponsor holding while 19.94 % of shares of the BSRMLTD are hold by the foreign shareholders. It is to be mentionable that foreign holding of the company represents shares held by the foreign relatives of the company’s sponsors/ directors. Institutional holding is high for Apollo Ispat followed by BSRM STEEL & RSRMSTEEL.



Ratanpur Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited(RSRM): Ratanpur Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited was incorporated on 22nd April 1986 & commenced its commercial production in 1st July 1986.The company is engaged in manufacturing & selling of various grade of M.S Deformed Bar (500W/TMT,400W and 300W) from MS Billet. The company’s present production capacity is 187,200 MT and it utilized 73.0% of its production capacity & produced 136,664 MT of MS deformed bar.

GPH Ispat limited: GPH Ispat Limited is an integrated steel manufacturing company in Bangladesh that engaged in manufacturing of 1) MS Billets (100 mm square), 2) Structural Bar (Deformed TMT bar, Deformed bar etc.). It was incorporated as Private Limited Company on May17, 2006, commenced its commercial production on 21st August 2008 & got listed to DSE & CSE in 2002.

Apollo Ispat Limited: Apollo is the pioneer in CI sheet business in Bangladesh. It started its journey by establishing modern & sophisticated continuous Galvanizing Line (CGL). Apollo Ispat Complex Limited was incorporated on December 31, 1994 as a Private Limited Company & it started its commercial production in July 1997. The company is engaged in manufacturing and selling of CI (Corrugated Iron) Sheet at different thickness ranging from 0.120mm to .420mm. Annual production capacity of cold rolls manufacturing (CRM) unit is 120,000 MT & production capacity of continuous Galvanizing line, unit-1 & unit-2 are consecutively 60,000 MT & 80,000 MT .The company’s production capacity will increase by another 60,000 MT with the introduction of world best technology of Radiant Tube furnace.

Comparative Snapshot Relative Position (As on 31st Oct, 2018)

BSRMSTEEL

BSRM

RSRM

GPH

APOLLO

EPS(annualized) 5.27 12.95 7.05 1.97 0.13

DPS(C/B) 10/10 10/10 10/10 0/10 - NAVPS 37.48 63.70 44.74 16.89 20.26*

P/E 7.21 6.32 5.99 21.55 50.19

Market Cap(mn) 21,121.70 17,748.09 5,059.45 12,344.58 3428.656

Company Fundamentals as on June 30, 2017

Assets(BDTmn) 37,607.78 34,526.35 5,862.32 12,866.21 12,500.33

Long Term debt(BDT mn) 1,117.90 4,962.94 158.07 1,781.31 1,794.82

Total Debt(BDT mn) 25,977.48 23,649.54 2,005.06 7,830.60 4,654.42

Equity(BDT mn) 11,630.30 10,876.80 3,857.26 5,035.60 7,845.91

Capacity(000' MT) 700 450 190 120 180

Financial Information

Revenue 37,996.41 23,457.70 7,488.70 7,839.57 5,714.34

Gross Profit 4,557.30 3,215.62 1,257.37 1,373.72 1,110.37

Operating Profit 3,273.59 2,571.90 1,177.73 1,094.77 930.75

Net Profit 1,705.41 756.52 707.86 571.30 478.73

Profitability

Gross Profit margin 12.0% 13.7% 16.8% 17.5% 19.4%

Op. Profit margin 8.6% 11.0% 15.7% 14.0% 16.3%

Net Profit Margin 4.5% 3.2% 9.5% 7.3% 8.4%

ROA 4.5% 2.2% 12.1% 4.4% 3.8%

ROE 14.7% 7.0% 18.4% 11.3% 6.1%



Analysis on Listed Steel Producing Company:

Among the listed steel manufactures, BSRMSTEEL has the highest production capacity. The company’s holding company BSRM holds the second largest position in terms of capacity. However, other three two companies are also undergoing major expansion project in increase their production capacity.

As per the latest available financial statements of all five companies, Gross profit margin was higher for Apollo Ispat (19.4%) reflecting the company as price leader in relation to production costs. GPH Ispat (17.5%)&RSRM (16.8%) hold second and third position among the companies accordingly.

Except RSRM, all the other four companies have significant interest bearing debt in their capital structure which denotes reaping benefits of tax shield at higher default risk.

BSRMSTEEL & BSRMLTD has significant market value in comparison to other companies which is in line with the size of the business and prospective fundamentals of the companies.

News Highlight:

Japan’s Nippon steel has formed joint venture Company with Bangladesh’s McDonalds Steel Building Products Ltd. To set up an import substitute plant in the Mirasarai Economic Zone in Chttogram.Two companies have agreed to invest $59.19 million or nearly Tk 500crore to established the land. According to BEZA, the joint venture will start the development work of the project in Dec2018 & it will complete within 730 days.

A consortium of 17 local company (such as: BSRM, Crown cement, Nitol Niloy & Unique group) & a Chinese steel maker is set to invest $3.5 billion to established a Bangladesh China Venture integrated steel plant in Moheskhali.

PHP Family, a Chittagong –based business group, plans to invest about Tk 31,600 crore to set up an integrated steel plant on 500 access of land in Mirasarai Economic Zone.

References:

World Steel Association The Daily Star The Daily Prothom Alo The Financial express BD Phone Interview with company personnel Annual reports of the listed steel manufacturing companies You tube Video documentary by the industry players

steel industry review · about 75% of steel is produced using the bf-bof route. first, iron ores...

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